Thesaurus results for BYSTANDERS

bystanders

noun

plural of bystander

as in spectators

someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bystanders The crash sent emergency crews racing to the sports complex in northeast Wichita, where bystanders had already stepped forward to help the injured. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Rather than concentrating solely on those responsible, Terzić widens the circle to the classmates who were silent bystanders who never intervened. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Authorities said no other passengers or bystanders were injured in the incident. — Nicole Alarcon, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 In one district, bystanders rescued a woman who was being swept down a street by the floodwaters, footage obtained by NTV television showed. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 There was no way for the bystanders to retrieve the wounded man without exposing themselves to the sniper. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Inside the store, bystanders and officers tried to help a wounded man until emergency responders arrived. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Video clips from bystanders shortly after the shooting Thursday show Belgal on the pavement with his hands cuffed and ICE officers nearby. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 Three bystanders injured in a firefight in the Home Depot parking lot. — Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders

Noun

The race would bring teams, corporate partners, international media and spectators to Rwanda, creating opportunities to promote tourism and attract business.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
On fan conduct, the commissioner said spectators must follow the WNBA’s code of conduct and can be ejected for violations.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of spectators

Noun

The gap between those predictions and the reality on the ground suggests many observers have overstated the likelihood of war.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
With polls showing Roy and Raman favored to win their respective races, political observers say the attempt to make Gascón relevant again may be a sign of panic from their opponents.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of observers

Noun

Ramaswamy’s campaign released a video featuring Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, who tells viewers not to vote for her daughter.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
The sixth season has been able to have its cake and eat it, too, ramping up the action without shortchanging viewers on spy craft and intrigue.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of viewers

Browse Nearby Words

bystander

bystanders

bystreet

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bystanders

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

emissary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes